A conflict management strategies and teachers job effectiveness in public secondary schools in Uganda: a Case of Pakwach District

Abstract

The study examined conflict management strategies and teachers’ job effectiveness in public secondary schools in Pakwach District. The objectives were: (i) to assess the level of conflict management strategies (training, communication, and mediation), (ii) to examine their effects on teaching effectiveness, (iii) to explore the role of the teachers’ code of conduct in shaping teacher morals, and (iv) to establish the relationship between conflict management strategies and teaching effectiveness. A cross-sectional research design integrating qualitative and quantitative methods was employed. Data were collected from 118 respondents using questionnaires and 15 through interviews. Quantitative results showed that 62% of respondents agreed that conflict management training reduced stress and improved discipline, while 58% reported that mediation enhanced job satisfaction. However, 35% felt communication strategies were inconsistently applied across schools. Teacher collaboration and teamwork were rated positively by 54%, though 30% remained neutral, citing barriers to effective cooperation. The findings revealed that conflict management training contributes to reducing stress and burnout, improving discipline, and strengthening teacher-student relationships. Mediation was moderately effective, with its success largely dependent on implementation. The teachers’ code of conduct was widely perceived as vital for conflict prevention and morale building, though its application was not uniform across schools. The study concluded that conflict management strategies positively influence teachers’ job effectiveness, particularly through open communication, teamwork, and adherence to the code of conduct. It recommended strengthening training programs, improving consistency in communication and mediation practices, increasing teacher engagement in collaborative efforts, and reinforcing awareness of the benefits of the code of conduct to maximize its impact.